GROWTH MINDSET: THE ART OF PERPETUAL PROGRESS.
OUR ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE.
Many of us behave as if we are static. We operate with a fixed mindset.
Will I succeed or fail? Will I look smart or dumb? Will I be accepted or rejected? Will I feel like a winner or a loser?
We carefully select the parts of ourselves to share — our lives, our work, our talents — often glossing over the time and effort it took to master those skills. At the same time, we may work to hide the parts of ourselves that make us feel unworthy or dumb.
When we attempt new things (especially as adults) we often think we should be an instant success. When we’re not, we say things like:
Oh, I could never do that. At my age?! I could never learn. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. And on and on and on.
Research by Carol Dweck, a prominent psychologist at Stanford University, holds that our mindsets directly impact our behavior, relationship to success AND ultimately, capacity for happiness.
Adopting a growth mindset — one that holds failures as a launch-pad for growth rather than as evidence of unintelligence — is essential to changing behavior and living a fulfilling life.
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ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Bri Harrington is a Minnesota-based watercolor artist. Out on a trail, or in-studio, her studio work focuses on landscape and abstract watercolor paintings. Vibrant colors, compelling movement, and thought-provoking conceptional pieces are her attempts to give more attention to the interconnectedness of all beings. She explores themes of energy, nature, pleasure-seeking, and curiosity. She encourages us all to leave intentional space and to be in awe of the beauty and splendor of the world around us. Bri is also the founder of Seek United, a wellness organization dedicated to helping people thrive.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
In March of 2020, I started watercolor painting. At most exhibits, artists only select their best works to display. Viewers rarely get to see the experiments, failures, growth, and successes.
This exhibit serves as a reminder that we have the ability to adapt, grow, shift, change and embrace the art of perpetual progress.